Orchestra

TCNJ Orchestra

MUS 142 (Non-Majors: MUS 182)

Meets: Monday/Wednesday from 7:00-9:50p
Contact: Michel Galante, galantem@tcnj.edu

Course Syllabus:  TCNJ Orchestra Course Syllabus

The TCNJ Orchestra is an exciting opportunity to play great music from the symphonic repertoire. All are welcome to audition! Members of the orchestra continually discover an inspiring musical environment in which they can grow and deepen as musicians. The rehearsals are an opportunity for musicians to improve ensemble playing skills, instrumental technique, and to develop a rich and meaningful relationship with the music. Members of the orchestra are comprised of music majors, non-majors, and community members.

 

 

 

Repertoire for Fall of 2012

Mozart Symphony #25 in g-minor, k. 183

Berlioz Harold in Italy

Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919 version)

Rossini William Tell Overture

Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile

Mozart Andante k. 315

 

A word about performing

In the TCNJ orchestra, the musicians will have a chance to get on stage and be performers!

Sometimes the experience of performing is so exciting you can’t believe it. Those are the moments we live for: the music flows and the musicians express themselves. Rich and magical sounds and emotions come out of the orchestra! The audience is moved, excited, and energized, it’s euphoric.

Sometimes the experience of performing is difficult. All performers (including all professionals) have tough days on stage. On these days, your fingers, your lips, or your reeds just rebel. Getting on stage and delivering a musical performance can be a thrilling experience, but every performance has risks. Although sometimes this makes performing a little scary, it also makes it exciting: you never know what’s going to happen.

The key to performing successfully is to perform often. The TCNJ Orchestra performs four concerts per semester, so that everyone has several chances with each program to do their best after many intense rehearsals and days of practicing parts.

Music is not a competition, but the act of performing can be a lot like an athletic endeavor: you have to train hard and try your best, because your teammates are trying their best. In music, the equivalent of the court is the stage. You go out there and play, sometimes you are fantastic, sometimes you get your butt kicked. Whether it’s a good performance or a bad performance, you become stronger with each performing experience. The only way to win is to keep playing.

 

Grades are based on

  1. Attendance for all performances and rehearsals. Students are allowed to miss one single rehearsal per semester without this absence affecting their grade, but must notify the director via e-mail before the absence occurs. Students who miss a rehearsal must make an individual appointment with the director or the assistant conductor to play through the material that the student missed. Absences accompanied by a doctor’s note are also excused without grades being affected.
  2. Your instrumental performance and improvement in rehearsals. Students are expected to practice and improve their parts. The conductor will evaluate your work based on what you do in rehearsals, not in performances. By the time we get to performances, all the work should have been done, and the orchestra should focus on enjoying the music and sharing that enjoyment with the audience.
  3. Your conduct as an orchestral musician. Students are required to keep track of their own parts, and sometimes print and cut their parts to make the best page turns. Sometimes parts will be emailed to students, other times students will get printed parts. Students are required to bring pencils to all rehearsals and mark instructions (such as dynamics and bowings) in their parts. IMPORTANT: Students should take rehearsal seriously, and not talk during rehearsals unless you really have to discuss a technical problem that is urgent. For several semesters, student evaluations have expressed frustration over the general level of talking in the full orchestra rehearsals. So we will adjust to become a more quiet orchestra during rehearsals.

Dress

All performances in Mayo Concert Hall will be in Concert Attire: tuxedos for men (unless you are a soloist), black for women – this means either a gown or a skirt that drapes below the knees.

 

Auditions

Auditions will be held by the conductor in room 220 of the Music Department at the times listed below. Strings: please sign up for a time on August 27, 28, or 29 so that we can start rehearsing on August 29th. Sign-up sheets are outside the door of Dr. Galante’s office (room 220 music building). Percussionists: please sign out TWO slots in a row for each percussionists audition, so that Dr. Galante can have time to come down to the percussion room and get back up to his office for the next audition.

 

Auditions times: 

  • Monday August 27 (this audition day is for all instruments: winds, brass, percussion, or strings) 12pm-2pm, 3pm-10pm
  • Tuesday August 28 (this audition day is for all instruments: winds, brass, percussion, or strings) 9am-12pm, 1pm-6pm
  • Wednesday August 29 (this audition day is for all instruments: winds, brass, percussion, or strings)9am-12pm, 1pm-6pm
  • String placements will be announced in rehearsal on August 29th
  • Thursday August 30 (this audition day is for winds, brass, percussion only 9am-12pm
  • Wind, Brass, and Percussion placements will be posted by Friday, August 31st
  • There will be late auditions for non-majors and community members who did not hear

Audition requirements are as follows:

  • For Everyone: you will be asked to sight-read a piece in the audition.
  • For Everyone: please prepare two short excerpts, one technical and one lyrical, demonstrating mastery of the instrument. They can be a sonata, concerto or etude (unaccompanied). Applicants will be judged on technical ability, tone and musicality.Please bring a copy of your music for the judges.
  • For Specific Instruments, you must also play the following in your audition:
Strings Play two major scales and two minor scales (melodic, harmonic, and natural), 3 octaves.
Violinists should be comfortable reading in 2nd, 4th and 5th positions.
Cellists should feel comfortable reading tenor clef.
Woodwinds Play two major scales and two minor scales (melodic, harmonic, and natural), 2 octaves. Also, chromatic scale, full range of instrument.
Brass Play two major scales and two minor scales (melodic, harmonic, and natural),  2 octaves. Also, chromatic scale, full range of instrument.
Percussion Percussion – Mallets play prepared piece. Play two major scales and two minor scales. The minor key scales should be played in all three forms (melodic, harmonic, and natural minor), 1 octave.  Snare play prepared solo, etude or study. Timpani play prepared solo and demonstrate tuning ability.
  • Extra note: Any piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon players who are interested in playing principal positions in the Stravinsky Firebird Suite 1919 should email the director at galante.michel@gmail.com.  Those interested may be asked to prepare a few bars: piccolo, flute, oboe and clarinet may be asked to prepare a few bars from the “variations” movement; oboe and bassoon may be asked to prepare a few bars from the Berceuse (the 6th movement, also called “Lullaby”).

 

Performance Dates and Venues for Fall 2012

  • Sunday October 21

Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall, TCNJ

4:00-6:00pm dress rehearsal 

8pm concert

Mozart: Andante k.315

Mozart: Symphony #25

Stravinsky: 3 movements from Firebird Suite (1919)

Berlioz: Harold in Italy

 

  • Tuesday October 30

(note: excuses from courses not necessary: no class on October 30th at TCNJ)

South Brunswick High School

Time TBA (it will be at some point between early morning and late afternoon)

Mozart: Symphony #25

Stravinsky: 3 movements from Firebird Suite (1919)

Berlioz: Harold in Italy

(possibly read through Rossini William Tell Overture with the South Brunswick Orchestra)

 

  • Wednesday December 5

(note: students needing excuse from courses will be given a letter from Department Chair)

South Brunswick High School

Time TBA (it will be at some point in afternoon) 

Rossini: William Tell Overture

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (complete)

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for solo cello and orchestra

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for string orchestra

 

  • Friday December 7

Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall, TCNJ
Dress rehearsal: 3:00pm-6:00pm 

8pm concert 

Rossini: William Tell Overture

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (complete)

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for solo cello and orchestra

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for string orchestra

 

Rehearsal Schedule:

Generally, the orchestra will rehearse on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-10pm. Most of the time (but not always), the first half of the rehearsal will be dedicated to the string orchestra. However, the music director may require winds, brass or percussion to rehearse for the entire rehearsal slot (7-10), particularly if it becomes clear that the winds, brass, and percussion need more attention and more rehearsal. A detailed rehearsal plan is listed below (please check carefully and always check your email for updates).

 

  • Week 1:

Wednesday 8/29

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA (with instruments) in Choral room for rehearsal. The string orchestra will read through some chorales for intonation, matching bow strokes, and articulation.

Music will be passed out at the rehearsal.

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA (without instruments) in Band room for orientation.

All orchestra members must bring their calendars and schedules for the semester.

 

  • Week 2:

Tuesday 9/4

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 9/5   Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 3:

Monday 9/10

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 9/12 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 4:

Monday 9/17

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 9/19 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 5

Monday 9/24

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 9/26 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 6:

Monday 10/1

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 10/3 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 7:

Monday 10/8

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 10/10 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

 

  • Week 8:

Monday 10/15

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 10/17 Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7:00pm -10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Mayo Concert Hall

 

  • Week 9:  CONCERT!

Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall, TCNJ

4:00-6:00pm dress rehearsal

8pm concert

Mozart: Andante k.315

Mozart: Symphony #25

Stravinsky: 3 movements from “Firebird Suite”

Berlioz: Harold in Italie

Monday 10/22

NO REHEARSAL (THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK FOR OUR CONCERT!)

Wednesday 10/24

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room (+possibly 4 hrns, 2 ob, 2 bsn)

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 10:

Monday 10/29  Guest String Coach and Soloist Sarah Sutton

7-10pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Tuesday 10/30 CONCERT and working with High School Musicians, South Brunswick High School

(note: students needing excuse from courses will be given a letter from Department Chair)

Time TBA (it will be at some point between early morning and late afternoon)

Mozart: Symphony #25

Stravinsky: 3 movements from “Firebird Suite”

Berlioz: Harold in Italie

(and possibly reading through Rossini William Tell Overture with the South Brunswick Orchestra)

Wednesday 10/31

NO REHEARSAL (THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AT SOUTH BRUNSWICK)

 

  • Week 11:

Monday 11/5

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 11/7

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 12:

Monday 11/12

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

Wednesday 11/14

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 13:

Monday 11/19

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Band room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Band room

 

  • Week 14:

Wednesday 11/26

7:00pm – 8:20pm STRING ORCHESTRA in Choral room

8:30pm-10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA  in Band room

 

  • Week 15:

Monday 12/3

7:00pm – 10:00pm FULL ORCHESTRA in Mayo Concert Hall

Wednesday 12/5

South Brunswick High School

Time TBA (it will be at some point in afternoon)

Rossini: William Tell Overture

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for solo cello and orchestra

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for string orchestra

Friday 12/7 CONCERT in MAYO HALL

8pm at Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall, TCNJ
Dress rehearsal: 3:00pm-6:00pm

Rossini: William Tell Overture

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for solo cello and orchestra

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile for string orchestra

Possible extra piece TBA

 

Rehearsal notes for Strings:

We may organize string quartets or string quintets out of the string orchestra. In your auditions, please let the director know if this interests you. Celli- the first 3 minutes of the Rossini William Tell Overture is a cello quintet. We will schedule a separate time to rehearse this, possibly with Mr. Szepessy.